The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 100: Chaos

Chapter 100: Chaos

“You’ve betrayed everyone despite their repeated forbearance towards you!”

Shen Zhengshi inwardly cursed his misfortune, sweating profusely as he demanded, “What have you done?”

Xu Ying looked puzzled, “Wasn’t I writing the Abdication Edict? With your sword at my throat, what else could I possibly do…”

Shen Zhengshi gritted his teeth. Since things had already reached this point, he might as well follow through with the plan. Even if it failed, he could still make his escape.

“I have prepared the Abdication Edict. Your Majesty only needs to affix the Imperial Seal.”

Several soldiers escorted Qing Wang Xu Ge and his son Xu Lian into the room. Xu Lian, with his short limbs, struggled futilely against the soldiers’ iron grip.

Shen Zhengshi said calmly, “Your Highness Qing Wang, don’t be impatient. His Majesty will soon pass the throne to the young master.”

Xu Ge spat fiercely and shouted towards Xu Ying while struggling, “Your Majesty, I’ve been wronged! It’s this villain Shen Zhengshi who rebelled using my name. Your Majesty must see the truth!”

Xu Ying gave an awkward smile. She could hardly protect herself now – Xu Ge’s clarifications were useless to her.

Shen Zhengshi led her to the desk and unrolled a scroll. Indeed, the abdication document was already prepared, stating that Xu Ying had temporarily governed the country and would now return power to the Xu family since the situation had stabilized.

Xu Ying couldn’t help but mentally scoff – as if she weren’t a member of the Xu family herself.

Eager to get this over with, Xu Ying took out her Imperial Seal and promptly stamped it at the end of the edict.

Everything proceeded smoothly. After the seal was affixed, Shen Zhengshi stood holding the Abdication Edict in a daze, unable to process what had happened. It felt surreal, too smooth to be true.

After a long moment, Prince Yong arrived belatedly to rescue the emperor, his bow fully drawn with an arrow aimed directly at Xu Ying’s heart. Xu Ying slowly raised her eyes, murmuring as she looked at the arrow about to be released: “Finally here…”

Hearing this, Shen Zhengshi’s heart sank, his scalp tingling with dread. What was Xu Ying scheming?

The next moment, he found out.

“Prince Yong, look who this is?” A woman’s voice suddenly rang out, immediately drawing everyone’s attention.

Jia Zhenzhen appeared before the crowd, dragging the bound Prince Yong’s Heir Xu Jin, with a dagger pressed against his neck.

She even reached out and pinched Xu Jin’s cheek, causing the fair-skinned boy’s face to turn red instantly. Xu Jin burst into loud sobs, crying, “Father, save me!”

Prince Yong’s expression changed immediately upon seeing this. In poor health himself, Xu Jin was his only healthy surviving son – exceptionally intelligent and perfect in every way. If Xu Jin died, he would likely have no other heir, and the kingdom he had worked so hard to secure would fall to others.

Should he choose to become emperor himself and try to father another son, or yield for Xu Jin’s sake and let the tiger return to the mountains?

While Prince Yong hesitated, Jia Zhenzhen’s appearance also made Xu Ying’s eyes widen suddenly in panic. Yet Prince Yong was genuinely considering saving his son – his fully drawn bow had already shifted direction.

Biting her tongue, Xu Ying decisively moved toward Jia Zhenzhen. Shen Zhengshi stood frozen in place, never expecting Xu Ying to simply walk out. By the time he regained his senses, she was already several steps away. The tense standoff suddenly turned dynamic – with every step Xu Ying took, the soldiers followed.

Kill her, kill her!

Xu Ying silently urged Prince Yong on. Yet even as she passed through the encirclement, the soldiers dared not lay hands on her, allowing her to reach Jia Zhenzhen smoothly.

“Let them go,” Prince Yong finally ordered.

Prince Yong arrived a step too late. Xu Ying had already stamped the Abdication Edict with the Imperial Seal. His current enemy was Qing Wang Xu Ge. Prince Yong aimed his bow and arrow at Xu Ge’s son, Xu Lian—the successor named in the Abdication Edict—causing Xu Ge’s expression to abruptly darken.

“Release Qing Wang and Xu Lian,” Xu Ying said coldly.

Prince Yong, wary that Jia Zhenzhen still held his son, gritted his teeth in frustration and lowered his bow. The men restraining Xu Lian understood and released him. Xu Ge rushed forward to embrace his son and quickly moved to Xu Ying’s side.

Xu Ying and her group seized horses and fled the city. Jia Zhenzhen threw Xu Jin onto the main road, blocking Shen Zhengshi’s pursuit, and they galloped away at full speed.

After shaking off their pursuers, Jia Zhenzhen halted at a thatched cottage where two figures stood—one tall and one short. The tall one was a woman, the short one a child. Xu Ying, still annoyed at having missed her opportunity, noticed the pair, especially the child who looked somewhat familiar.

As they drew closer and she could make out their facial features, Xu Ying exclaimed in shock, “Isn’t that Hengjiang Prince’s son, Xu Chong!”

The day had given her more frights than a horror film. Jia Zhenzhen’s appearance with Xu Jin in tow had already been a huge shock, and now the appearance of Hengjiang Prince’s son led Xu Ying to a dreadful suspicion: had Hengjiang Prince also gotten involved? Her mind was struggling to keep up.

Jia Zhenzhen reined in her horse and dismounted. Xu Ying slid slowly down from her horse’s neck and, once steady on her feet, saw the woman and Xu Chong kneel before her. The woman said, “This humble woman, Yuan Shi, pays respects to Your Majesty. We failed to protect you adequately and beg for your forgiveness.”

“Enough, don’t call me Your Majesty anymore. I have abdicated and am no longer emperor. Just call me by my name,” Xu Ying quickly helped Yuan Shi and Xu Chong to their feet.

Jia Zhenzhen exchanged a glance with the two and changed the subject, explaining, “Your Majesty, it was the young master who noticed something amiss with Xu Jin and informed his wet nurse. They lured Xu Jin into taking a sleep-inducing drug beforehand, intending to use Xu Jin to rescue you. I happened upon them and, fearing an old woman and a child wouldn’t intimidate that crowd, took over the task.”

Xu Ying forced a smile. “Thank you all, but please don’t do such dangerous things again.”

Xu Chong shook his head earnestly. “To sacrifice oneself for one’s ruler is only right and proper.”

“Where does a child your age learn so much about the duties between ruler and subject?” Xu Ying patted Xu Chong’s head. “Alright, there’s no time to lose. The pursuers are still behind us. We must hurry to Zhenping to regroup.”

Hearing that Xu Ying already had a plan, Jia Zhenzhen grew even more convinced that this was merely one part of Xu Ying’s strategy—no wonder she had remained so calm during the upheaval.

Prince Yong and those in Youzhou thought they had succeeded, unaware that Her Majesty had already seen right through them.

As Xu Ying’s group hurried to Zhenping, Zhang Yu and Liu Xu woke to find Youzhou transformed. Qing Wang Xu Ge had rebelled, forced Her Majesty to abdicate, and was driven back by Prince Yong who came to the rescue. Xu Ge and the female emperor had disappeared in the chaos. To Zhang Yu’s horror, the court officials, claiming the country could not be without a ruler for even a day, unanimously pushed for Prince Yong to ascend the throne.

He had only been asleep—how had Prince Yong suddenly emerged while Her Majesty was nowhere to be found!

Liu Xu was not in the court hall. The majority of ministers knelt, urging Prince Yong to take the throne, but Zhang Yu remained standing in silence. Prince Yong declined, citing his lack of qualification, and put off the matter of enthronement.

After the court session ended, Zhang Yu rushed straight to the Prime Minister’s residence.

The Prime Minister’s mansion was sparsely staffed. Liu Xu showed little surprise but sighed. Seeing this, Zhang Yu understood everything. Furious, he strode forward and punched Liu Xu in the face.

“Everyone has repeatedly let you off, yet you betrayed us all!” Zhang Yu roared in fury.

Liu Xu was struck to the ground by a punch, his hairpiece askew, white strands loosened at his temples as he slumped in silence.

Zhang Yu grew even angrier and raised his fist to strike again, but Liu Xu’s attendant rushed forward and clung to Zhang Yu’s leg, weeping, “Vice Director, please calm your anger! My lord has not betrayed anyone. In recent days, the chancellor’s residence has been under surveillance by thieves—he couldn’t even step beyond his own threshold. My lord is wronged!”

Liu Xu sat on the ground without uttering a word, which was indeed unusual. Had he been involved, he would surely have been bustling around Prince Yong at this moment, not sitting here passively enduring the beating.

Zhang Yu was mostly convinced. He only regretted that such a disaster had occurred without him detecting even a hint of it.

Dejected, Zhang Yu and Liu Xu sat together. Zhang Yu didn’t know whether to follow the other court officials in petitioning for Prince Yong’s ascension to the throne or to denounce Prince Yong and follow Xu Ying, becoming a martyr of loyalty.

His gaze drifted toward a pillar, and after a long silence, he broke into mournful sobs: “I haven’t even become chancellor yet—I was just one step away from being Chancellor Zhang…”

“Wait,” Liu Xu suddenly looked up, “a rebellion couldn’t have unfolded this quickly!”

Zhang Yu was taken aback, his tears halting abruptly. “Conspiracies thrive on secrecy, and speed is crucial in warfare. It must be swift, with no leaks—how is it impossible?”

“But this is Xu Ying we’re talking about. How could she let Prince Yong seize an opportunity so easily?” Liu Xu refused to believe it.

Zhang Yu initially wanted to say that Xu Ying had offended too many people, but the words died on his lips as he suddenly recalled the court’s personnel changes. He hastily wiped his face with his sleeve. “Before this, Her Majesty dispatched the ministers of the Hall of Gathered Talents and Princess Huaiyang. Could it be that she had already laid plans back then?”

Hearing this, Liu Xu grew more resolute. “Just as I suspected—this is nothing but a trap she set.”

Zhang Yu pondered: Prince Yong had publicly claimed that the Empress fell victim to Qing Wang’s schemes and was now missing. Whether this was to placate the people or reflected the truth, as long as Xu Ying’s body remained unfound, there was still hope.

The two steadied themselves, closely monitoring the shifting political landscape as they awaited news of Xu Ying.

Amid the turmoil in Youzhou, Xu Ying had vanished. Prince Yong controlled Youzhou, and the imperial clan grew restless. However, with their children held hostage by Prince Yong and their own military strength insufficient, none dared confront him openly. Instead, they turned their schemes toward the common people, spreading rumors that Xu Ying might have been killed by Prince Yong.

Upon hearing of Xu Ying’s plight, the people initially rallied to rise up and attack Prince Yong. But some recalled the public notices Xu Ying had previously issued—urging them to prioritize self-preservation in crises and plan covertly. They restrained the rioters, reminding them of the strategies taught in those bulletins.

Li Dengyun, fearing for the people’s safety, personally went to dissuade them: “The rebels are ruthless and will not hesitate to sacrifice innocent lives. Her Majesty cares deeply for her people and would not wish to see such tragedy. Do not disregard her heartfelt intentions.”

The people exchanged uncertain glances, their resolve wavering. Seizing the moment, Li Dengyun pressed on: “The rebels claim Her Majesty is missing, but with her great wisdom and foresight, she may have already escaped her captors. Moreover, she bears the Aura of the True Dragon, chosen by heaven itself—blessed with immense fortune, she will surely return unharmed.”

Li Dengyun’s words resonated. Their emperor was chosen by the spirits—how could she fall so easily to treachery? They must not act rashly and jeopardize her grand design.

The common people were persuaded to return home, praying for Xu Ying at all times.

Seeing that the people were less agitated, Li Dengyun breathed a sigh of relief. If the masses had marched forward, Prince Yong might have resorted to killing them to maintain stability, which would have escalated conflicts and triggered a popular uprising—truly plunging the Great Jin into chaos.

In reality, Prince Yong was also in a difficult position. Since Xu Ying had not truly died, the people still recognized her as the emperor. Her officials remaining in Youzhou refused to submit to him, with Zhang Yu transferring the Ministry of Revenue Account Books and defiantly withholding them, ignoring his orders.

Yet if he declared Xu Ying dead, the people’s fury would become uncontrollable, and the entire Great Jin would spiral into complete chaos.

Prince Yong found himself caught in a dilemma, finally experiencing firsthand the truth of the saying: “It is easier to conquer an empire than to rule it.”